🆕 Writing the story of 2026, together - CONCORD Newsletter April 2021

Director's blog WRITING THE STORY OF 2026, TOGETHER As CONCORD prepares its new four-year strategy, which will run from 2023-2026, I've been giving some thought as to how our external environment is changing. What does that mean for the role of the Confederation and how we may need to adapt to be able to work in that context, especially given our ambition to do more than react to an EU-set agenda? The pandemic particularly brought to light or reinforced certain changes in the international arena - including the EU's role in that arena - while directly impacting on our ability to realise our most basic rights. All these changes mark a leap towards a future in which transformative, systemic change and the goal of a more equal world become significantly more difficult to achieve. We must draw the strands together to consider which scenarios are possible – over the years to 2026 – and what role CONCORD should play in ensuring that we can write the future of 2026, together. Tanya Cox, CONCORD Director Read more CONCORD NEWS OF THE MONTH PRESS RELEASE: EU ODA UP, BUT FAR FROM LEVELS PROMISED AND NEEDED AMID INTERNATIONAL CRISES The figures offer the first tangible evidence of the global pandemic's impact on EU ODA. In absolute terms, according to the OECD DAC, EU aid increased by 7.8% (72.7 billion USD) compared to 2019. But this is not yet a reason to celebrate: EU ODA levels are still very far from the level of development financing required.  Our press release REACTION TO THE EU TRADE STRATEGY The review of the EU's Trade Strategy was an opportunity for the EU to use its leadership in the multilateral trade system to accelerate worldwide progress on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement. This analysis identifies 12 key improvements to the reviewed EU Trade Strategy to move towards an economy that ensures well-being for the people and planet. Our analysis REGIONAL ALLIANCES APRIL NEWSLETTER Our work on Regional Alliances aims to ensure the EU and Member States engage with partner regions in human rights-based partnerships that prioritise sustainable development and tackle inequalities, with increased space and role for civil society. In these newsletters, aimed to be shared monthly, you will get the chance to catch up on our advocacy activities and to learn more about what's to come.   Our newsletter UPDATES FROM OUR NETWORK SOLIDAR OFFICE RENTAL OFFER IN BRUSSELS The pandemic will forever change the world of work and the need to find new office solutions that are flexible enough to offer both stability and creativity for individual and collective processes. SOLIDAR has just entered centrally located, newly renovated offices at Av. des Arts 50 (1000 – Brussels) and are looking for a sister organisation or movement to join them.  Learn more THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND RELATED CRISES CALL FOR HIGHER LEVELS OF ODA In a joint statement, 76 civil society organisations across the world, including CONCORD and many of our members, called on OECD/DAC countries to fulfill and exceed the 0.7% target for ODA and the 0.15% to 0.2% target for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), prioritising unconditional grants and technical support. Learn more EVENTS Unless stated differently the following events are taking place online. CONCORD FOCUS: EU ODA, MIGRATION AND GLOBAL EUROPE INSTRUMENT Conditionality on migration remains a controversial discussion, high on the EU political agenda. The findings and recommendations of a new CONCORD's paper regarding the implementation of the Global Europe instrument 10% allocation for migration-related actions will be presented in this webinar.  When: 5 May 2021, 15:30 - 17:00 (CET) Registrations: open until 30 April via this link  Hosted by: CONCORD Europe CONCORD FOCUS: EU BLENDED FINANCE IN THE LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES As LDCs contexts have been more challenging, blending should not come at the expense of other concessional finances in LDCs and other vulnerable countries. This webinar aims to bring together some key principles that ODA channelled through blending in LDCs must respect. The findings and recommendations of a new CONCORD's paper will be presented. When: 26 May 2021, 15:30 - 17:00 (CET) Registrations: open until 7 May via this link  Hosted by: CONCORD Europe INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP IN EU EXTERNAL ACTION: THE ROLE OF SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE BUSINESSES CONCORD organises, together with FTAO, WFTO, Cooperatives Europe and other partners, a session during the EU Social Economy Summit. We will discuss with representatives from the European Commission, European Parliament, business and civil society and aim to present the findings and recommendations from our 'Mind our business' report. When: 26 May 2021, 11:30 - 13:00 (CET) Registrations: via this link Hosted by: EU Social Economy Summit JOB OPPORTUNITIES Advocacy Coordinator Organisation: EU-CORD Deadline: 4 May 2021 Communication and Media Assistant Organisation: CONCORD Deadline: 9 May 2021 Programme Manager, Coasts and Deltas Organisation: Wetlands International Deadline: 9 May 2021 Senior Communications Officer, Mangroves Organisation: Wetlands International Deadline: 9 May 2021 Partnerships Manager, Europe Organisation: Wetlands International Deadline: 9 May 2021 Partnerships Manager, Africa Organisation: Wetlands International Deadline: 9 May 2021 Senior Technical Officer, Wetland Carbon Developer Organisation: Wetlands International Deadline: 9 May 2021 Head of Communications and Advocacy Organisation: Wetlands International Deadline: 9 May 2021 Advocacy Officer, Climate Organisation: Wetlands International Deadline: 9 May 2021 Project Controller Organisation: Wetlands International Deadline: 9 May 2021 CALLS FOR PROPOSALS & OPPORTUNITIES The latest open calls for proposals from DG INPTA From 24 March 2021 to 24 April 2021 Add your news Want to change how you receive these emails? 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